overweight & not hitting milestones (Update)

Ethan was 6mo on the 25th. We had his checkup yesterday & the family practitioner we saw is concerned about his weight. He is 22lbs, 12oz & only 26.5inches long. The dr said it is alarming that he has tripled his birthweight in just 6months. He was 7lbs 12oz at birth. The dr was also concerned that he hasn't grown much in length to match his weight gain. He measured at 26.5inches & at birth he was 20.5. Ethan also has only rolled over once from tummy to back but that's it. But he can sit unassisted for awhile and will stand up for a a few seconds as well. The dr recommended we see a pediatrician & see what they think & possibly do some bloodwork on him since I had GD while I was pregnant with him. He also said I was overfeeding him since I was still nursing 6 times a day & giving solids twice a day. Does this sound ridiculous or am I being too sensitive? This dr just doesn't seem legit...glad we have an appt tomorrow with a ped!

***Update***

We went and saw a ped on Wed and the ped is not concerned at all with lo's weight or not hitting milestones. Lo can sit up unassisted for a long time and is now pulling up when his hands up held and standing and putting weight on his legs in his jolly jumper. The only thing about his weight is that if he continues to gain weight like 3 or 4lbs by his 9 month appt then they might check his thyroid to make sure he doesn't have hypothyroidism since it runs in my family. Other than that she wasn't concerned, she said bigger/chunker babies do tend to hit milestones later cuz of their weight its hard for them to move it around. She also said some babies crawl before they roll over and skip some things. So I feel alot better. Nothing genetically or medically is wrong with him. Just wanted to let you all know and keep you updated.

Comments (39)

You definitely want to speak to a pedi especially regarding switching to formula. That seems strange. I did not think you could overfeed a BF baby either.

My pedi has voiced some concerns regarding LO's weight but at this point feels it is proportionate. 23 lbs and 29 1/2 inches. Weight is 97th percentile height 98th. He did tell me not to feed him more than 32 oz per day which seems to work well. Gave me a generalized chart regarding solids. The 2 oz you are feeding your son would be within a normal range.

I do think he struggles with physical milestones simply because he is bigger. Only recently has he been able to sit independently but he is not steady enough to be left unattended. He did not roll tummy to back until 6.5 months. He rolled back to tummy around 5 months out of sheer determination. He wants to crawl but cannot get up on hands and knees.

Good luck with pedi. I'm curious about what he says. Give us an update. Also, those cheeks. That sweater. What a cutie.

Sorry this posting posted twice...not sure how that happened.
Thanks for the comments & compliments on my chunka monk! He's my sweetheart & has started 2 hold my face & kiss me...I love it!
I think the issue the fp mainly had is that he's short as well & has dropped down into the 50% for his height from 76% at 4mo & from 95% at 2mo. So he's short & chunky! We'll see what the ped says 2morrow & will update u all then. Thanks again!

He looks sweet as can be!! Get a good pedi and don't stop BFing. That sounds crazy. I have heard that not all breastmilk is the same. Some moms produce "skim milk" some produce "whole milk". You are providing great for your baby. I agree monitor the height, but maybe he's just going to be short. :-)

I don't know for sure but to me, nothing seems that out of wack. Mine was 8.9lbs at birth & at 6m is about 21lbs. He was almost 21'' at birth & is about 27'' now. He can roll ok, he can sit up unassisted for a short time, & can't stand up with out being help. He can't pull himself up & even if you prop him standing he falls over. My doc didn't seem alarmed at all. I mean still do what the doc said but I wouldn't worry. Mine also eats 6 times a day. ( I BF )

I would stop seeing this doctor. How dare he suggest that you stop BF to FF! My lo had his 6mo appt on Monday and he was also 25lbs. He's longer, 29" but the doctor was not at all concerned about weight. If you see an actual pediatrician they will likely put your fears to rest. Breast fed babies fed on demand and are seldom overweight. Don't beat yourself up. Make an appt with a ped

I would change doctors. My doctor stated at my O's 4 month check up that if she was formula fed and 18 lbs, now 23 lbs, that it would be a concern, but since she is breastfed than its okay. She said the weight will shed when she starts getting mobile and why would a doc tell you to change from bf to formula, that just seems crazy. Your LO is not overweight, GD only makes babys a litte chunkier, my mom had it. My LO doesn't go from tummy to back, hasn't ever, never has rolled . It is because she is chunky, which is a fact that chunkier babies don't roll as easily as skinnier ones. Take your baby to a pedi and tell them what your doctor has told you.